Friday, August 15, 2008

There is a term for people like me....

it's called Analysis Paralysis. Yep, that is me. I can't make a decision about sewing for the life of me. There are zillions of garments I'd like to sew, but I just can't decide what to do next. Then when I do decide, I trace off my pattern and then worry if I'm making the correct alterations and picking the best fabric from my stash. So what in the heck is up? Why am I stuck all of a sudden? Does anyone else have this happen to them? I just feel like I'm totally over analyzing everything and I just need to relax. And really, what is the worst that is going to happen??? Really the worst case would be throwing something in the trash and that isn't life shattering. lol

So all that to say, not much sewing to report. A few days ago I did make myself another New Look 6802 - view D using some knit jersey from Fabric.com. I'm happy with the outcome, but haven't snapped a picture yet. Other than that, nothing but diaper sewing which isn't too exciting to report about.

While out on errands today, my daughter and I stopped in to Joann's for some 50% off thread and we peeked at the pattern books. She is very into Hannah Montana and was immediately wooed by two Simplicity patterns so I caved and bought them for her (at $1 each how can I go wrong???). In an earlier post I expressed how she really wanted to shop RTW and not have me sew things for her. Yes this breaks my heart, but I honestly don't want to waste my time sewing things for her she won't wear. She's almost 11 and has her own opinions and ideas - especially about clothes! Instead I decided to give her a little budget for school clothes and she was very picky with what she bought and tried hard to conserve money. I am very proud of her and think she did well. She even has $20 left! The two patterns we ended up getting were:

2878 - jumper

3716 - knit basics

She's really keen on the jumper and she wanted to shop my stash so we didn't bother looking at what they had at Joann's. Unfortunately we didn't find anything to her liking that was suitable for fall. She found several she liked, but they were all too light colored and spring-like. So back to the fabric store we'll go.

Hopefully in my next post I'll be beyond my Analysis Paralysis and have something great to share - keep your fingers crossed!

I'm another one who is right there with you Melissa. Analysis paralysis is my middle name when it comes to sewing. I could have written this same post. I've been suffering really badly from it these past two weeks so I know exactly where you are coming from. All I want to do is sew but I'm paralysed. I finally sewed an Ottobre top today (yes another one!) just so I could sew something. :)

Oh Melissa, I OBSESS over what to make. I eat, sleep, drink my many many options. Easpecially if I have fabric that I have saved up and want to use. It's the worst.

Also, I'm glad your daughter is interested in having you make something. I think she'll get more in to it when formal seasons start to come along. And, I'd be proud too that she budgeted and got her own things with some money to spare!

I hear you, sister! Once I make a choice, though, I go for it and don't look back.

I think it's great that your daughter stayed within her budget, AND that she wanted to pick some patterns, too. My son is almost 11 and he would love it if I would make all of his things, but he isn't really picky and everything fits nicely, and my mother is still buying him clothes (yippee!), so I only make the special items for him. I know it will break my heart, too, when Ella tells me she wants to shop at a store other than the fabric store.

I have to play "What's the REAL worst case scenario?" with myself all the time. If I take the time to actually think through the answer to that question I can calm down. But luckily for me this applies more to the rest of my life than sewing, though I am apt to sew with lower quality/less interesting fabrics and "save" the good ones for some unknown magical time in the future when I have the perfect project and my skills are also perfect. Working on that.

So, if you find a cure for the anaysis paralysis, can you let the rest of us know? I have 4 pieces of fabric and about 12 patterns sitting out trying to decide on the "perfect" match.My daughter went to private school until 6th grade and I made nearly every dress she wore. I was brokenhearted when she started public school and didn't want handmade clothes.

About Me

My grandma May taught me to sew when I was in the fourth grade. I've always been interested in sewing and dabbled in it, but didn't actively start sewing until about 1998 and then into a true diehard around about 2000. I have been married for 15 years and have four children.